Meet Marco

ANNOUNCER:

HUMIRA is a prescription medicine used alone or with certain other medicines to reduce the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis in adults, may prevent further damage to your bones and joints, and may help your ability to perform daily activities.

MARCO: That one, right there.

MARCO’S SON: Right there.

MARCO:

Being a kid again is one of the best parts about being a dad.
I can do things that I’d wished I had done 20 years ago.

I had the perfect childhood.
I had a lot of friends. You know, I played a lot of sports. Did a lot of activities.

I remember I was about 14 or 15 years old, and it just started with a little patch on my hairline.
It spread faster than I could control it. Going to see a dermatologist about the problem is a big step in itself. I was afraid of the prospect of showing him how I was and the dermatologist telling me “You know what? I’m sorry, but this medication won’t work for you.”

My doctor told me it was moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. They treated it with creams, with topical solutions. Which was okay at the time, until it started appearing all over my body.
I had resigned to living a life in long sleeves. My apartment had a pool. I was like “Oh great, I am going to go in all the time.” But, I remember going in it twice and both times I went in with a long sleeve T-shirt and some sweatpants.

It’s something you can’t hide. It’s something you have to explain. The problem is the people you don’t know, the strangers that you meet everyday. It took a huge toll on me.

The entire time that I was really affected with psoriasis, I was feeling joint pains. Just getting my fingers to move the way I wanted them to was a little difficult.

When I went to see the current doctor that I’m on now, I explained these symptoms that I was having.
He did mention that there was a condition called psoriatic arthritis. It helped me to put two-and-two together and realize that the 2 conditions are connected.

The dermatologist that I’m currently with suggested that I go on HUMIRA. At first I was just hoping for any relief and what I got was, what I got was much more.

I am well-educated enough in the disease to know that this is for life. So know that I am committed to taking it and I’ll probably be taking it for the rest of my life. And, I’m okay with that.

AVO:

HUMIRA can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. Serious, sometimes fatal infections and cancers, including lymphoma, have happened; as have blood, liver, and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure. Before treatment, get tested for TB. Tell your doctor if you’ve been to areas where certain fungal infections are common, and if you’ve had TB, hepatitis B, are prone to infections, or have flu-like symptoms or sores. Don’t start HUMIRA if you have an infection.

MARCO:

Sometimes people like my wife and other people, say all the time “you have great skin.”
When you finally throw all your long sleeves away that is freedom right there.

I deal with clients on a regular basis. I don’t have to explain to one of my current clients what’s wrong with my skin or why I’m a certain way.

MARCO:

This is where the kitchen is going to be. Okay, so everything is going to be centered in this area.

MARCO: I always wanted tattoos as a kid. And it was just something that I wasn’t able to do without clearer skin.

So when I was able to get my first one, it was a important moment for me. This one signifies that I’m okay just being me. And psoriasis is just a part of that, but also I think that getting, coming of age and maturing—learning to be comfortable with who I am, learning to be comfortable in my own body.

Everything’s a learning experience. I’ve come to understand that. And you never know what’s on the other side unless you actually walk through the door.